West Bridge Journals

The Art of Reading

Do you remember when you read your first words? Remember how good it felt? For me, I have to go back to the 1950’s when I first learned to read. I can still remember reading, “See Jane run, see Spot jump.” It was a whole new world for me. Words became my friend. That was a strange mix for someone like me, as I was not a very good student. I went through my school years believing that making ‘C’s’ was good enough. It required only a certain amount of the effort that I was willing to give. The only exception was the English Classes, in high school. I did ok in math, (I seemed to understand numbers), but it was English Literature where I excelled. It was there I was introduced to novels. I fell in love with books. I would completely digest them. I think I stunned a couple of my teachers, Ms. Powell and Ms. Braun, with my graphic book reports. I did great on content, but was always marked down on penmanship. It is bad today, but worst back then. But books became my passion. I spent a lot of time in the school library. I even skipped a few classes to go to the library. In the end I received a good education from high school even with the ‘C’ average. Those two teachers opened a door for me that I have never closed. I guess that is why I married a school teacher.

Today I read 30 to 40 books a year. I’ve always have one or two going. They educate me about the world around me. I travel to our past, present and future through them. I can get emotionally involved in the situation and consequences that the characters experience. Right now I can set on my porch and relive the old west by just thinking of the many characters in the books of Louis L’amour that I’ve read. And I have read every one of them, several times. I have been ship wrecked on an island with the Swiss Family Robinsons. I’ve spent time in the court room with John Grisham’s Characters. One of my favorite books, (I have many), is ‘Land Remembered’ by Patrick Smith, in which I traveled in early Florida with the MacIvey family. I have lived the adventures of 007, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne, the camel club, Rangers McCrae and Call and James Patterson’s Dr. Cross. The list is endless. Reading is better than any movie to me.

Recently I got hooked on the character, Jonathan Crane in ‘The Son’ series, by Doug Dahlgren. Doug was a couple of years behind me in high school. I claim him as a great friend. I’ve read all of his books and can’t wait till the next one is out. He is one gifted writer. I guess his stories must have been building inside of him for many years, because he didn’t start writing till after he retired from the business world. His books are political thrillers that will grab you and not turn you loose. In the Son series, Crane is kind of a dark hero that you can’t stop cheering for.

Doug and I share the same political views. Now, that’s another thing that reading has done for me. I have become a news junkie and read 10 to 15 news articles each day on the net, (speed read). If you want to put your emotions into high gear, do that! You have heard of the “Love hate relationship,” well the news is one for sure. I will tell you this though, it has shaped my views on our government and politics. I know I am a better informed voter because of my reading. Through reading I have a better understanding of our country’s value system and my emotions will run amuck sometimes from some of the decisions that our government makes in that regard. Facebook is another media that I love to read and I often use that great social network to voice my opinion about such.

Yes, reading is my passion and I end this by saying the Bible is my all time favoriate book. I read it everyday, and have read the entire book, and doing so again now. I have my favoriate Christian Authors also, such as C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado, Tim LaHaye and his ‘Left Behind’ series. I love ‘The Prayer of Jabez’ by Bruce Wilkinson.

So, there you have it. You now know I love to read, and if you have read this, then maybe you do to. If so, then you should thank a teacher also…